Bellagarve: For generations, the family of Taliwadi Village lives deep in the Beimgard Forest, coexist with wildlife, rely on the forest to make ends meet and carry large quantities of groceries through narrow muddy paths.
During the rainy season, their village will almost disappear from reaching. But now, 27 families have voluntarily chosen to move from the forest.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre distributed checks to families on Friday as part of the government’s relocation plan.
“During the monsoon, there is no transport access, and frequent crop damage caused by wildlife makes life difficult for villagers,” said Nitsh, one of the beneficiaries of the relocation program.
He said the rehabilitation program will greatly benefit Talevadi Village, which has long been deprived of its basic infrastructure.
He added that the relocation program will serve as an opportunity to improve lives, including access to education and health care. He urged the government to issue a displacement certificate under the scheme, which would help beneficiaries to qualify for government work and demanded that alternative land be allocated to relocated families.
Nitesh and his neighbors were among the first to accept the Karnataka government’s voluntary relocation plan. As part of the initiative, each family received Rs 1 million, and the check was handed over by Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre in Hemmadaga village in Khanapur Taluk. Once the relocation process is completed, they will receive a quota of Rs 5 lakh.
The Bhimgad Forest area is home to approximately 754 families in 13 villages. The 27 families from Talevadi were the first to move forward. During the event, Minister Candre recalled how his previous visit to the area during the Winter Assembly had a profound impact on him.
He said: “I saw women carrying groceries in the forest stopping after carrying groceries on their heads. One woman told me that her husband was killed by a tiger, while another woman said that the bear attack made her husband permanently disabled. These stories moved me.”
Khandre stressed that while previous generations are good at coexisting with wildlife, the current generation lacks this experience, making relocation a practical and safer option.
“Forest residents, together with our forest workers, play a crucial role in conservation. But in today’s modern times, living in deep forests without basic facilities has become very difficult.”
“There are no forced evictions here. These families stand alone and the government has only promoted their transition to mainstream society,” he said.
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi launched the relocation plan, calling it a “historic initiative” and praised Khandre for his initiative. “The need for relocation has been around for twenty years,” he said.
Jarkiholi also stressed the need to promote ecotourism in Bhimgad on the Nagarhole and Bandipur routes, and emphasized the link between forest conservation and rainfall and agriculture.
He added: “Families who voluntarily leave the forest expressed their desire to provide more support as part of the relocation campaign. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre should expand additional aid through the forest sector.”
